The U.S. Navy’s UX-24 squadron is preparing to start testing of the Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 Osprey radar on the MQ-8C unmanned helicopter.
Photo: U.S. Navy
This surface warfare (SUW) upgrade to the MQ-8C will match the Osprey radar with the BRITE Star Block II (BSBII) targeting turret for over-the-horizon targeting to the Naval Strike Missile installed on the Littoral Combat Ships. Data taken from both systems will be processed using the onboard Minotaur processing suite.
The MQ-8C’s maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities will be enhanced thanks to the long range detection and tracking and radar imaging capabilities of the AN/ZPY-8.
Overland, the Osprey can also provide moving-target detection to the warfighter.
Fleet deployment is expected to start next year.
The Osprey X-band radar was selected for the MQ-8C back in 2016. Although available as a 3-panel solution to provide 360 degrees coverage, the U.S. Navy choose a 2-panel solution. It can be seen mounted underneath the nose of the helicopter.
First flight of the MQ-8C with the radar took place on Feb. 27.